How can one rapidly eliminate a facial pimple?

Transparent and relatively thin, acne patches containing hydrocolloid gel (a group of long-chain polymers), such as carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, or pectin, can be a good solution against pimples. They help accelerate healing by creating a moist environment. Similarly, they act by draining all the fluid from the pimple, which may contribute to making it appear less swollen and slightly smaller. Acne patches also prevent you from picking at the pimple, in addition to masking the blemish and protecting it from infection.

Hydrocolloid patches do not work on all types of pimples. They are particularly effective on raised pimples (excluding closed comedones and cysts) or those with visible pus.

Although they can generally be worn overnight or for up to 24 hours, they don’t make a pimple disappear overnight. Current studies indicate that you need to use them for several days (about six days) before you see results. However, hydrocolloid patches are not the most effective treatment for acne lesions. Indeed, they do not kill bacteria. Moreover, if you use a patch, avoid applying topical acne treatments underneath it, as this not only reduces their adhesion but can also lead to irritation in some cases.

While hydrocolloid gel patches typically contain no active ingredients, some formulations already include them (niacinamide, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, etc.). They are added specifically to combat pimples by helping reduce inflammation. More recently, another type of pimple patch has emerged: microneedle patches featuring multiple fine, tiny tips that improve the delivery of active ingredients into skin cells.

Misconception #2 : Trying to pop, squeeze, burst, or pick at a pimple will only make things worse. In fact, it won’t help it clear up any faster; instead, it will render the lesion even redder and more painful. Moreover, this behavior can damage the skin barrier, promote inflammation and irritation, exacerbate acne, delay the healing process, increase the risk of infection, and raise the likelihood of permanent scarring.

After gently cleansing your skin and applying an ice pack or warm compress to the blemish for a few minutes, you can proceed to use an over-the-counter spot treatment, which typically contains either 2.5% benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid, to dry out the blemish. By following these steps before bed, the blemish may look better the next morning.

• Benzoyl peroxide: Whether in cream, gel, or patch form, the benzoyl peroxide is a common acne-fighting ingredient that has been around for many years. It works primarily by killing the bacteria responsible for pimples, in addition to unclogging pores by removing built-up dead skin cells. Over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products are available in concentrations ranging from 2.5% to 10%. However, it can have a drying and irritating effect on the skin. Therefore, start with a lower concentration—especially if your skin is sensitive—and gradually increase the dosage if you do not see results.

  In a study (n = 153), the effects of benzoyl peroxide gels at different concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were compared. After two weeks of topical application, they found that the 2.5% formulation was equivalent to the other concentrations in reducing inflammatory lesions, with fewer adverse effects.

• Salicylic acid: Found in a number of over-the-counter products, another common ingredient is salicylic acid. Lipid-soluble, this beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) is known for its keratolytic action that promotes the removal of dead skin cells from clogged pores, its mild anti-inflammatory effect to reduce redness and swelling, its sebum-regulating effects to decrease sebum production, and its bacteriostatic properties to slow the growth and proliferation of bacteria such as Cutibacterium acnes, the microorganism responsible for inflammatory acne reactions. Only preparations containing 0.5 to 2% salicylic acid are recommended.

Common misconception #3 : Instead of using a salicylic acid treatment, some people use aspirin. They crush one or two tablets, mix them with a few drops of water to make a paste, and apply it to the pimple. However, the active ingredient in aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. Although it is related to salicylic acid, it is not the same molecule. Moreover, there is currently no scientific evidence of the benefits of topical aspirin in acne treatment.

Viewed more as a short-term measure than a long-term treatment, 1% topical hydrocortisone cream—a synthetic form of the hormone cortisol—can help reduce acne breakouts to some extent by improving the appearance of inflammatory lesions. Specifically, it soothes the inflammation associated with pimples and diminishes their swollen appearance.

With the side effects often associated with conventional treatments (irritation, skin dryness, burning sensation, etc.), some people opt for “natural” alternatives to quickly clear a pimple. Moreover, botanical therapies may offer the added advantage of multiple mechanisms of action, thanks to their biochemical makeup comprising various active compounds. However, although numerous options exist, only a few are “scientifically proven,” such as tea tree essential oil, one of the most popular alternative remedies, even though its anti-acne effects have been only minimally researched.

In addition to tea tree essential oil, thegreen tea extract, Copaiba essential oil and clove essential oil have also been shown to reduce pimples.

Extracted from the leaves of the Australian native tree Melaleuca alternifolia, the Tea Tree essential oil (INCI: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil) has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Studies have demonstrated that a small amount of diluted tea tree essential oil can reduce the number of blemishes in patients with mild to moderate acne.

For example, a single-blind randomized clinical trial in 124 patients conducted by R. S. Barnetson and colleagues found that a 5% tea tree essential oil in a water-based gel was as effective in reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions as a 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion, although the tea tree essential oil did not act as quickly as benzoyl peroxide.

In another study, a 5% tea tree oil gel was nearly four times more effective at reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions, and almost six times more effective at reducing acne severity than a placebo, that is, the gel base alone. While tea tree essential oil does not make a pimple disappear in a single day, it appears to be effective at reducing pimples while causing fewer adverse effects.

Despite its proven efficacy, the European Commission does not regulate claims regarding tea tree essential oil for acne. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution and always perform a skin patch test before use.

How to use tea tree essential oil to treat a pimple?

Highly concentrated, it is important to note that tea tree essential oil should never be applied undiluted to the skin. Therefore, be sure to dilute one drop oftea tree essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier (vegetable) oil before applying it directly to the blemish with a cotton swab, once or twice daily.

Common Misconception #4 : Apart from toothpaste and aspirin, the use of other “natural” remedies should be avoided, such as apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon juice.

In the case of a particularly stubborn pimple (inflammatory acne nodules), the fastest and most effective way to eliminate it is to receive a cortisone injection (triamcinolone acetonide at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL) by a dermatologist directly into the pimple. Delivered with a syringe fitted with a very fine needle, the cortisone injection contains a steroid that reduces the swollen tissue of the pimple and relieves inflammation, allowing it to heal. You will observe a visible improvement within 24 hours. However, steroid injections are generally reserved for the most severe types of acne and should not be considered a first-line treatment for inflammatory acne. Additionally, this therapy can potentially cause localized skin atrophy.

Common Misconception #5 : It is also impossible to make a pimple disappear by exfoliation. On the contrary, overly aggressive exfoliation can worsen acne.

Externally, cryotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment in which an extremely cold substance (cryogen)—such as liquid nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide, or liquid nitrous oxide—is applied to the tissue via a spray device or a cotton swab. Already employed to treat various skin conditions (e.g., warts), this therapy is also considered effective for treating acne lesions, as supported by several clinical studies. Cystic acne lesions almost invariably disappear after a few cryotherapy sessions. According to some studies, exposure to extreme cold can reduce the appearance of a pimple by creating micro-injuries in its wall, which promotes immune cell infiltration, blocks sebum production, and induces the release of fewer pro-inflammatory molecules.

Cryotherapy is not effective against comedonal acne. It has, in particular, long been used to treat nodulocystic and keloidal lesions.